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WEEK 20 | CALGARY STAMPEDERS (11-5) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (10-7)

THE 4-1-1

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m., IG Field
TV: TSN, ESPN+
Radio: 680 CJOB
Vegas line: The Stampeders are favoured by 2 ½ points.
The forecast: Sunny with a high of 10C during the day. Clear at night with a low of 6C.
Home/Road: The Bombers are 7-1 at home; Calgary is 4-3 on the road.
Streaks: Winnipeg: 1L; Calgary: 2W.
Recent history: This is the third meeting between the two clubs this year and the second time in six days after last week’s 37-33 win by the Stamps in Calgary. Winnipeg won the first game, a 26-24 victory at IG Field back on August 8^th.
Series (since 1945): The Stampeders lead the all-time series 112-92-0.

3 STORYLINES

1. ZACH AT THE ATTACK

It’s been the main storyline with the Bombers since Chris Streveler hobbled off the field following his purple-heart performance against the Stampeders last Saturday: who would get the call this week in the rematch?

The Bombers made official Thursday morning what had been very evident from the moment they took to the practice field earlier this week: veteran Zach Collaros, acquired from the Toronto Argonauts at the CFL trade deadline, will start at quarterback.

“I’m going to be as prepared as I possibly can be for the game,” said Collaros earlier this week. “The one calming thing, no matter who’s going into the huddle, is the group of guys there. It’s a very, very locked-in veteran group of guys. That communication is something I really haven’t been a part of… the way that they communicate protections that communicate coverage, ‘hot’ adjustments. They’re always talking. I always say when you’re facing a defence that’s like that, which our defence is here, it’s always a scary thing. But offensively it’s really a calming feeling knowing you’re back there with a guy like Andrew Harris who isn’t going miss a protection. And the guys we have up front have been playing the game for a long time so no matter who’s out there you can have confidence that you’re out there with a veteran group of guys that love the game and they’re going to lay it out there the line for you.”

The subplot to this, of course, is what kind of game to expect from Collaros. Remember, he hadn’t really practised fully until his arrival here in Winnipeg and hasn’t started a game since the Saskatchewan Roughriders season opener in Hamilton back on June 13^th. Even then, he was sidelined just two snaps in following a hit to the head from Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence that earned a suspension.

The last full game Collaros played in, FYI, was a Rider win over Calgary last October 20^th – a game in which he completed 24 of 35 passes for 352 yards.

2. A FUZZY PLAYOFF PICTURE

We could complicate this by bringing in all the possible scenarios and tiebreaking formulas as it pertains to the Bombers, Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders. But, frankly, there’s so much information involved here it’s enough to cause massive migraines.

So, instead, let’s just look at what it will take for the Bombers to play host to a playoff game – they need to win Friday and then hope the Stamps lose their final regular season game. In that case, both teams would finish the year at 11-7 and the Bombers would earn second spot in the West after winning the season series 2-1.

All of that is moot, of course, unless the Bombers can find their groove again.

“It’s crunch time, for sure,” said slotback Nic Demski. “It’s pretty clear the attitude and the vibe that needs to happen here and a lot of veterans have spoken out about that. The younger players are feeling that, too. It’s a long season, but we all need to dial it in right now because there’s not many playoff games and once you lose, you’re going home.

“This game is huge not just because we could still get a home playoff game, but because we’ve got a week off after it. Everybody knows the task at hand because we’re in the crucial part of the season.”

3. BO Vs. THE BOMBERS: A HORROR STORY

There’s no way to frame this nicely, so cover your eyes while we poke at a still-fresh wound. Calgary QB Bo Levi Mitchell, simply put, has consistently eaten up and spit out Bombers defences since he got his first start – right here in Winnipeg – in 2013. Mitchell has an 11-2 career record against the Bombers; 12-2 if you include last November’s West Final win.

The numbers looked oh-so familiar last week, as Mitchell threw for 337 yards with three TDs and an interception in Calgary’s victory.

“We didn’t do a good job of putting pressure on him and getting back there,” said Bombers defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat. “We allowed him to be a little comfortable in the back and so that’s one thing we have to make sure we do… get to him, keep him uncomfortable and that will help guys out in back end.

“We’ve just got to execute. There were mistakes here and there that we made that are easily corrected. We worked on them and got them corrected and it will help us.”

The Stamps often had extra protection for Mitchell up front last week and it effectively stymied Winnipeg’s pass rush, which registered just one sack.

“That’s football,” reasoned Jeffcoat. “When you’ve got a defensive line that can pass rush, that’s what teams are going to do. So, you’ve got to beat two guys. That’s just what it is and it’s what we’ve got to do if we want to win. We’re not complaining about that. We’ve got to get back there no matter who is back there blocking.”

THE QBS

• Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros is 34-31 in his career as a starter during his career with Toronto, Hamilton and Saskatchewan. This is his first start as a Bomber and he has a 3-4 career record in games against Calgary
• Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell boasts the CFL’s all-time winning percentage for quarterbacks with a sparkling 76-17-2 record. His career record vs. Winnipeg is 11-2.

NOTABLE:

The Bombers are making three changes to their 46-man roster this week. Coming aboard are DBs Mercy Maston and Mike Jones, and QB Trevor Knight. Off are QB Chris Streveler, DB Marcus Rios and CB Chandler Fenner.

Streveler and Fenner have been moved to the one-game injured list, while Rios is on the practice roster.

The changes affect the pass coverage, with Jones now starting at Fenner’s corner spot and Maston moving into the Dime position for Rios. Darvin Adams, who missed last week’s game but was on the roster, is expected to start at WR.

3 BOMBERS TO WATCH

#1 Darvin Adams, WR: Adams posted consecutive 1K receiving-yard seasons in 2017-18, pulling in a combined 137 passes for 2,148 yards and 17 TDs in 32 games. His 2019 campaign has been underwhelming, as he has appeared in 12 games and had 43 catches for 529 yards and four TDs. The Bombers could certainly use his big-play capability down the stretch.

#16 Mike Jones, CB: Jones slides into Fenner’s spot at cornerback and you can bet the Stamps will test him.

#36 Mercy Maston, DB: The Bombers move Maston into the Dime spot that was held by Marcus Rios after he replaced Anthony Gaitor. Maston brings experience, having suited up for 19 games with Edmonton before joining the Bombers this year. But, like Jones, he will be tested.

X FACTOR

#8 Zach Collaros, QB: It’s tough to ask Bombers fans to temper expectations here with Collaros, especially given the time of year, but he hasn’t played a full game since last October. Still, if he can give the club decent decision making at this critical position, it would offer hope heading into the playoffs.

FYI

• A Bombers win Friday would give them the season series against Calgary for the first time since 2002 (2-0).
• Dating back to 2014, the Bombers and Stamps have met 14 times, with Mitchell starting 12 games. The other starters were Nick Arbuckle (L) and Andrew Buckley (L). Over that same span, the Bombers have started five different quarterbacks: Matt Nichols (2-4), Drew Willy (1-3), Dan LeFevour (1-0), Robert Marve (0-1) and Brian Brohm (0-1) and Chris Streveler (0-1).
• Cornerback Winston Rose has nine interceptions for the Bombers this year, which leads the CFL. That total is also the most by any Bombers defender since hall of famer Less Browne had 10 picks in 1991.
• Willie Jefferson’s 15 pass knockdowns is a new record for a CFL defensive lineman. The overall CFL record is 18. The last D-lineman to lead the league in pass knockdowns was Fred Perry in 2006.

Finally, some notable promotional-related items for fans attending the game:

• The first 15,000 fans through the gates will receive a free Andrew Harris bobblehead
• All draft beer, as well as 355 ml Bud and Bud Light cans, will be priced at $4.90 (plus tax)
• The Bomber Store deal of the game: take 25% off whatever you can fit in a Blue Bombers cinch bag (excluding jerseys)
• Friday also offers a chance to contribute to the Purolator Tackle Hunger initiative, now in its 17th year of raising funds and collecting food items for local food banks. Fans are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or make a cash donation to help support Winnipeg Harvest. In return, fans are able to have their photo taken with the iconic Grey Cup.